Ai Ogura Explains Ride Height Scare at Assen 2026

Ai Ogura revealed that the rear ride height device issue which almost denied him his maiden MotoGP victory at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix was caused by his own mistake at TT Circuit Assen.

The Trackhouse Racing rider was closing on the leaders when he ran wide at Turn 4 on lap 16 of 26. Replays showed the rear ride height device remained engaged, although Ogura managed to disengage it before regaining his pace and eventually overtaking Jorge Martin and Raul Fernandez to secure victory.

"At that time, before I got that problem on the rear device, I was managing, and I could see the situation of Raul and Jorge. I said there was still a possibility. But then I got this problem and the gap opened again," Ogura said on MotoGP's After the Flag programme.

Baca JugaAi Ogura Jelaskan Masalah Ride Height di Assen 2026

Ogura explained that the rear ride height device is normally activated at the final chicane before being released at Turn 1. However, he believes he accidentally pressed the activation button again somewhere between Turns 1 and 3, causing the system to engage once more.

"I don't know. Somehow the rear device activated again between Turns 1 and 3. Probably I touched the button somehow. I think that was a mistake from me. That was a scary one, but luckily I didn't lose so much time," he said.

Despite moving closer to the front of the championship battle, Ogura insisted he remains focused on doing his job rather than thinking about the title fight. He said he would continue approaching each race in the same way and accept it if his rivals perform better.

The Aprilia rider also admitted the closing laps felt unusually long despite extending his advantage. Winning at Assen carried extra significance for Ogura, who described it as one of his favourite circuits after previously claiming victory there in Moto2.